🔍

Dotswood

QLD 4820 • Queensland

83
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
3449.39 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteOutbackAgricultural
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About Dotswood

Dotswood is a vast, sparsely populated rural locality in the Charters Towers Region of Queensland, situated roughly 60 kilometres south-east of Charters Towers township on the edge of the Great Northern Railway corridor. The locality covers an enormous 3,449 square kilometres of open tropical savannah country, with the Burdekin River forming part of its western boundary near the historic township of Macrossan. With a 2021 Census population of just 83 residents spread across 28 dwellings, Dotswood is one of the most remote and thinly settled localities in inland North Queensland. The majority of the locality lies within the Department of Defence's Townsville Field Training Area, which significantly limits civilian activity and land use.

The landscape is characterised by vast cattle-grazing properties, dry woodland, and open grasslands typical of the Burdekin River catchment. The Hervey Range Developmental Road traverses the locality east to west, providing the main road access link for residents. Services and amenities are extremely limited locally, with residents relying on Charters Towers for shopping, schools, healthcare, and community facilities. Life in Dotswood revolves around the pastoral industry and a close-knit bush community ethos, with the surrounding region known for its rich colonial and mining heritage.

Dotswood falls under postcode 4820 and is governed by the Charters Towers Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4820
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Charters Towers
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-20.43°, 146.28°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
3449.39 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4820

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4820, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$48,656
Median 2023–24
$56,547
▲ 16.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$67,894

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4820; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North Bus & Coach — Charters Towers / Townsville Approx. 1 hr to Charters Towers, 3.5 hrs to Townsville

Commute to Townsville CBD

Distance
340 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest station at Charters Towers (~60 km away)
By Car (Peak)
3.5-4 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
3-3.5 hrs

🛣️ Extremely remote locality; car is essential. Charters Towers is the nearest service town.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

No local services or footpaths; a private vehicle is essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
83
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Charters Towers Local Government Area, which contains Dotswood. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
712.6 / 100k
2yr Down 38.9% 10yr Down 37.6%
Motor vehicle theft
265.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 14.5%
Non-FV assault
2,112.8 / 100k
2yr Down 13.4% 10yr Up 180.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
33.1 / 100k
2yr Up 298.1% 10yr Up 300.6%
Steal from vehicle
314.9 / 100k
2yr Up 22.0% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Charters Towers →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dotswood known for? +

Dotswood is known for its vast pastoral landscape and its location largely within the Department of Defence's Townsville Field Training Area. The Burdekin River and the historic Great Northern Railway corridor also pass through the locality.

How far is Dotswood from Townsville CBD? +

Dotswood is approximately 340 kilometres south-west of Townsville CBD, with the drive typically taking 3 to 4 hours via the Flinders Highway and Charters Towers.

Does Dotswood have public transport? +

Dotswood has no local public transport. Trans North Bus & Coach operates a service between Charters Towers and Townsville, but the nearest service town is Charters Towers, approximately 60 kilometres away. A private vehicle is essential.

What is the population of Dotswood? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dotswood has a population of approximately 83 residents across 28 dwellings, making it one of the most sparsely populated localities in inland North Queensland.

Is Dotswood a good place to live? +

Dotswood suits those who are drawn to an isolated outback lifestyle in the pastoral industry, with vast open spaces and a true bush community feel. Access to services is very limited, and most residents are involved in cattle grazing or associated with the nearby Defence training area.

What is the postcode for Dotswood? +

The postcode for Dotswood, Queensland is 4820, which is shared with the nearby regional town of Charters Towers.

Is Dotswood a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dotswood is part of the Charters Towers LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.